Mediterranean Recipes
Explore 20 authentic Mediterranean dishes. Import them into your Cook Planner weekly calendar.
Cacio e Pepe
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Timeless Roman pasta masterclass crafted with bronze-cut tonnarelli spaghetti, freshly toasted cracked black peppercorns, and finely microplaned Pecorino Romano cheese emulsified with starchy pasta cooking water into an ultra-creamy, glossy sauce without any cream or butter. 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season lightly with salt (less than usual, as Pecorino is naturally salty). 2. Drop tonnarelli or spaghetti into boiling water and cook until 2 minutes shy of al dente. 3. In a wide stainless steel skillet or pan, toast freshly coarse-ground black pepper over medium heat until fragrant and slightly smoking. 4. Ladle half a cup of starchy pasta water into the skillet with the toasted pepper, creating a bubbling pepper broth. 5. In a separate bowl, whisk finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese with a ladle of warm pasta water until a thick, smooth cheese paste forms. 6. Transfer al dente pasta directly into the pepper pan, tossing vigorously over low heat to coat strands. 7. Remove pan from heat, wait 20 seconds, then vigorously stir in the Pecorino cream paste until it emulsifies into a silky, velvety coating. 8. Plate immediately with an extra dusting of Pecorino Romano and cracked black pepper.
Calamari alla Griglia
Tender whole squid scored and charred over high heat on a screaming-hot grill, brushed with a Sicilian salmoriglio dressing of extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, wild oregano, and flat-leaf parsley.
Champiñones al Ajillo
Sizzling Spanish garlic mushrooms sautéed in extra virgin olive oil with thin-sliced garlic, red pepper flakes, dry sherry, and flat-leaf parsley.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Pan-seared crisp-skin salmon fillets nestled in a rich garlic, sun-dried tomato, baby spinach, parmesan, and heavy cream pan sauce.
Crispy Feta Spanakorizo Bowl
Classic Greek spinach rice pilaf infused with fresh dill, lemon zest, and extra virgin olive oil, topped with golden pan-seared sesame-crusted feta cheese.
Fennel tea
Digestive fennel tea.
Fideua
Valencian coastal specialty crafted with golden toasted short fideo noodles cooked in a rich saffron-infused seafood broth with squid rings, juicy prawns, sweet paprika, and topped with dollops of creamy homemade garlic alioli.
Greek Lemon Herb Spatchcock Chicken
Juicy roasted spatchcock chicken marinated with Greek oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh lemon juice over roasted golden potatoes.
Italian Creamy Tuscan Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Pan-seared salmon fillets simmered in a luscious garlic, sun-dried tomato, baby spinach, and Parmesan cream sauce.
Lemon Herb Orzo Chicken Skillet
One-pan Mediterranean skillet of golden seared chicken thighs nestled in creamy lemon-dill orzo with baby spinach, marinated artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
Lemon Orzo Chicken
Tender pan-seared chicken thighs simmered with orzo pasta, lemon juice, chicken broth, and baby spinach.
Melanzane alla Parmigiana
Southern Italian baked comfort classic of golden roasted eggplant layered with rich San Marzano tomato marinara, fresh mozzarella, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, and fragrant fresh basil.
Pasta alla Gricia
Classic Roman pasta dish made with crispy guanciale, finely grated Pecorino Romano, starchy pasta water emulsion, and toasted black pepper.
Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Burrata
Al dente artisanal pasta enrobed in a rich emerald Sicilian pistachio pesto with fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and topped with a creamy torn sphere of fresh burrata.
Pollo alla Cacciatore
Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Classic Italian Hunter's Style braised chicken thighs seared in extra virgin olive oil and simmered with cremini mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, garlic, fresh rosemary, dry white wine, and San Marzano crushed plum tomatoes. 1. Season bone-in chicken thighs with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper; dust lightly with flour. 2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; sear chicken thighs skin-side down until golden brown and crisp, then set aside. 3. In the same pot, sauté yellow onion, garlic, bell peppers, and sliced cremini mushrooms for 6-8 minutes until tender. 4. Pour in dry white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up caramelized browned bits, and simmer until reduced by half. 5. Stir in crushed plum tomatoes, tomato paste, fresh rosemary sprigs, fresh thyme, kalamata olives, and red pepper flakes. 6. Return chicken thighs to the pot, cover, and braise on low heat for 30 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce is rich. 7. Finish with fresh flat-leaf parsley and serve with crusty artisan bread or polenta.
Sicilian Pasta alla Norma
Classic Sicilian pasta featuring golden pan-fried eggplant tossed with a rich garlic tomato-basil sauce, topped with grated Ricotta Salata cheese.
Spanakorizo with Halloumi
Vibrant Greek spinach and arborio rice dish simmered with scallions, fresh dill, lemon zest, and extra virgin olive oil, topped with golden pan-seared crispy halloumi cheese slabs.
Spanish Seafood Paella
Traditional saffron-scented Bomba rice cooked in a wide paella pan with jumbo shrimp, mussels, bell peppers, tomatoes, and smoky paprika.
Spicy Calabrian Chili Rigatoni
Al dente bronze-cut rigatoni tossed in a vibrant, creamy sauce of crushed Calabrian chilis, sweet shallots, garlic, tomato paste, vodka reduction, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Whipped Feta Dip with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Honey
Silky, creamy whipped feta blended with Greek yogurt and garlic, crowned with blistered garlic-thyme roasted cherry tomatoes and warm honey-chili drizzle.
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